Mario Gomez headed VfB in front in the ninth minute, latching on to Maxime Awouldja’s cutback from Daniel Didavi’s cross and finishing with aplomb. Zürich, who are coached by former VfB player Ludovic Magnin, equalised shortly afterwards through Assan Ceesay (14’), but VfB soon restored their lead through Didavi’s 21st-minute penalty. However, Tim Walter’s side were pegged back once more three minutes before the interval, Antonio Marchesano firing FCZ level for the second time in the match.
Orel Mangala was brought on after half-time, making his first appearance for VfB since returning to the club following a loan spell at Hamburger SV. The goals continued to flow too, half-time substitute Hamadi Al Ghaddioui putting the Cannstatt club back in front from close range (52’) before Benjamin Kololli made it 3-3 from the penalty spot just three minutes later.
Walter’s charges eventually earned themselves the win, though, Al Ghaddioui netting his second of the game in the 74th minute before Tanguy Coulibaly made it 5-3 eight minutes from time.
Line-up
33 Fabian Bredlow (1 Gregor Kobel, 46')
6 Santiago Ascacibar
8 Gonzalo Castro (30 Roberto Massimo, 72')
10 Daniel Didavi (31 Mateo Klimowicz, 72')
15 Pascal Stenzel
16 Atakan Karazor (23 Orel Mangala, 46')
22 Nicolas Gonzalez (18 Hamadi Al Ghaddioui, 46')
27 Mario Gomez (C) (7 Tanguy Coulibaly, 62')
35 Marcin Kaminski (4 Marc Oliver Kempf, 46')
37 Maxime Aowudja (36 Luca Mack, 72')
38 David Grözinger (2 Emiliano Insua, 62')
Goals
1-0 Mario Gomez (9'), 1-1 Assan Ceesay (14'), 2-1 Daniel Didavi (21', pen.), 2-2 Antonio Marchesano (42'), 3-2 Hamadi Al Ghaddioui (52'), 3-3 Benjamin Kololli (55'), 4-3 Hamadi Al Ghaddioui (74'), 5-3 Tanguy Coulibaly (82')